Arthur G. “Sonny” Hamrick, 82, a resident of Elkins, departed this life Sunday evening, April 7, 2013, at his home. He had been in his usual health and death was unexpected.
He was born Feb. 14, 1931, at Webster Springs. He was the son of the late Arthur F. Hamrick and the late Mary E. Hamrick.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce A Hamrick, whom he met in London, England, while he was serving in the United States Air Force.
Also surviving are one son, Stephen Lee Hamrick of Elkins; two daughters, Susan Marie George and husband, Terry, of Coalton, and Sally Anne Swecker and husband, Christopher, of Valley Bend; two brothers, Wirt Hamrick and wife, Judy, of Boise, Idaho, and William L. Hamrick of Files Creek; three sisters, Mary Jane Williams of Wheeling, Frances Jean Crickard of Elkins and Susan Ann Miller of Pasadena, Md.; nine grandchildren, Sara Ann Wilson, Erik “Joey” Wilson, Ayla Lee Hamrick, Brianna Leigh Swecker, Christopher “Luke” Swecker, Katie Chewning, Abby Chewning Grimmet, April George Senic and Stephanie George Riddle; and two great-grandchildren, Addison Riddle and Jacob Riddle.
Sonny was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all. He was a graduate of Elkins High School with the class of 1949. He participated in sports at EHS and played football for the legendary Frank Wimer. After high school, he entered the United States Air Force and served his country in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. After 23 years of military service, he retired and worked for Allied Signal. He was a proud member of Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars, H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and many other organizations. He also served as a councilman for the city of Elkins. Sonny enjoyed the outdoors and spent most of his leisure time at his camp on Files Creek.
At his request, Sonny will be cremated, and a memorial service will be conducted at a later date.
The family suggests that expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to the American Heart Association, West Virginia Region, P.O. Box 12110, Charleston, WV 26302 or the American Cancer Society, 301 RHL Blvd, Suite 6 and 7, Charleston, WV 25309. Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Arthur “Sonny” Hamrick.
